Bilbao Kukutza Demolished

Barra Mac An Fhaili
Dermot Crowley/Paula Murphy Ógra Cumann

Anyone who was on the Ógra mobilisations to the Basque country in the past number of years will be familiar with the Kukutza or Gaztetxea in Bilbao . The Kukutza was demolished last week in a move which was undertaken against the wishes of the local population and in favor of local property developer. The huge military operation needed to undertake the demolition was just a small measure of how unpopular the move was amongst the majority of the local population.

A number of people had been arrested in the Kukutza last Wednesday as a forced eviction was undertaken by heavily armed members of the Basque regional police. Plastic Batons rounds were also fired on this occasion, injuring several people. In the days following the demolition over 30 people were arrested and many more injured in demonstrations.

The cultural and social centre was equipped with a public bar, climbing wall, clothes shop, Gym, computer suite, conference facilities as well as accommodation facilities and cooking and restaurant facility. The building was used by the local community for various classes and activities. The Kukutza was also a hive of activity no matter what time of the day it was.

Ógra members will be familiar with the building because it served as a vocal point for a number of delegations. It also provided accommodation for two Ógra delegations for two years; in 2007 and 2008. In this time over 40 members of Ógra passed through and stayed in the building. We were astounded at the diversity of activities going on in the building and the amount of development being undertaken in the building. Throughout our stay we were afforded the greatest hospitality and were made very welcome throughout.

The network of Youth Houses or Gaztetxea in the Basque country was an impressive aspect of the Basque struggle. It provided many young people with a facility they could call their own. It was an outlet to channel their energies and time and provided an unrivalled service to the local communities. The Kukutza in Bilbao was recognised as one of the most successful in the network of Youth Houses.

I stayed in the facility on a number of visits to the Basque country. The last time was during Easter 2009. After completing the grueling mendi martxa -or mountain march- I stayed on the building for two nights along with other international representatives from Sweden and Norway . Like me they were amazed at the ever continuing development of the Kukutza.

It was with sadness that I learned from a great friend from the Basque country some two months ago that the building was ear marked for closure and demolition. The groups based in the building were served with eviction notices. Just last Thursday over 5,000 people came onto the streets of Bilbao in protest at the demolition. Over the weekend as protests continued many protestors were arrested and injured as the Basque police opened fire on protestors.

I think I can speak for the Ógra representatives who visited the building when I say that we were saddened at the news of its demolition. It was truly a unique building.
No matter what is put in its place it will go no way to replacing what the Kukutza meant to local people. It will also be no substitute for the good work that was undertaken in the building for a wide cross section of the local population. Once again big business and wealthy property developers, supported by the ruling elite have trampled upon the ordinary working class people.